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Share Repurchases (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Nov. 23, 2014
Nov. 24, 2013
Nov. 23, 2014
Nov. 24, 2013
Aug. 25, 2013
May 26, 2013
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]            
Treasury Stock, Aggregate Value, Acquired $ 506.3gis_TreasuryStockAggregateValueAcquired $ 565.7gis_TreasuryStockAggregateValueAcquired $ 968.8gis_TreasuryStockAggregateValueAcquired $ 893.0gis_TreasuryStockAggregateValueAcquired    
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired 9.8us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired 11.5us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired 18.6us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired 18.0us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired    
Fourth Quarter 2013 Accelerated Share Repurchases [Member]            
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]            
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired       0.6us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesDateAxis
= gis_FourthQuarter2013AcceleratedShareRepurchasesMember		 0.6us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesDateAxis
= gis_FourthQuarter2013AcceleratedShareRepurchasesMember		 5.5us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesDateAxis
= gis_FourthQuarter2013AcceleratedShareRepurchasesMember